Prince Philip has left a London hospital following his longest ever stay and was expected to meet with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 100 in June, underwent surgery for a pre-existing heart condition and was also treated for an infection after being hospitalised a month ago on February 16.
He left the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone, central London, in the back seat of a black BMW at around 10.30 am, after 28 nights as an in-patient, it’s believed Philip, the nation’s longest-serving consort, would meet with the Queen – the couple had been shielding together at Windsor Castle during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Privacy screens were set up to hide the duke as he appeared from a back door, but he was seen climbing into the vehicle and sitting in the back as the BMW drove off.
There was a heavy police and security presence as Philip was helped by the hospital and royal household staff.
Philip, who retired from royal duties in 2017 and has been hospitalised several times in recent years, was initially transported to King Edward VII’s Hospital by car on February 16, after feeling unwell at Windsor Castle.
Buckingham Palace described it as a precautionary measure and said he would be there for a few days of observation and rest. The Palace later said he was being treated for an infection, and on March 1, two weeks after being admitted, he was transferred to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London by ambulance.
He had a successful procedure on a pre-existing heart condition at St Bartholomew’s Hospital on March 3, before being transported back to King Edward’s to heal and to continue his treatment.
Concerns had been heightened for the duke because of his advanced age and amid troubled times for the royals.
The monarchy was plunged into crisis while Philip was in hospital following the shocking allegations of racism made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their Oprah interview.
Harry and Meghan, who faced calls to delay the interview because Philip was ill, accused an unnamed royal, not the Queen nor the Duke, of raising concerns about what colour their son Archie’s skin tone would be before he was born.
Meghan Markle also told of how she pleaded for help when she was suicidal, but said that the institution gave her no support.
Prince Philip is now out of the hospital but he looks extremely fragile, but it’s pleasing that he’s come home to recuperate with his wife, the Queen, and now hopefully they’ll have some time together.
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